Female Football Festive Fifty – 50 stars of North Wales soccer during 2023

It’s that time of year to celebrate the Festive Fifty Female Footballers on the North Wales scene in 2023.

The list comprises senior club football players only. There are so many talented players from the North representing academies, playing for Wales youth sides, featuring for England-based clubs, but too many for me to know them all.

I’m sticking to what I know.

The top 10 are indeed that – my 10 personal best players of the year.

Everyone after that, 11-50, is in no particular order.

Everyone below 10th is joint 11th, whether you are listed as No 11 or No 50.

1 Rosie Hughes (Wrexham)

She may be the obvious choice and people might expect me to be ‘off-beat’ and go for someone else, but Rosie is simply the best of 2023.

Not only did her goals inspire Wrexham to the 2022-23 Genero Adran North title and promotion to the Adran Premier, she is also now leading scorer in the top-flight.

Any suggestion that she, or her team-mates, might be ‘found out’ at the higher level has been proved wrong so far.

In 2023, Rosie netted 30 goals in 20 matches for the North Wales Reds.

October saw Wrexham’s No 9 reach 100 goals for the club in just her 46th appearance.

Rosie has also been key in the commercial success and high-profile media spotlight Wrexham have attracted this year, including when the women set set a new domestic crowd record for a Welsh league game of 9,511.live on TV at the Racecourse against Connah’s Quay in March.

2 Stevie Donougher (Llandudno)

Australian student attends Bangor University and becomes a North Wales sporting great in a very short time.

Not a bad opening sentence to describe the effect Sydney girl Stevie has had on our sport.

Stevie has been a star for not one North Wales football team in 2023 – but two.

In 2022-23, she was top-markswoman with 27 goals as CPDM Bangor won the North Wales Women’s League title as invincibles.

Stevie moved to Llandudno in Tier 2 this season and has bagged 25 goals already in just 13 matches. In 2023, she netted 35 times in 23 games.

The wonder from Down Under has also been a roaring success with the Bangor University rugby union and North Wales Crusaders rugby league sides this year.

Stevie, you are bonzer!

3 Jess Jones (Llangefni Town)

Without a doubt 18-year-old Jess is one of the best things to happen to North Wales football in 2023.

The niece of Ynys Môn goalscoring legend Marc ‘Logs’ Evans, she first made her mark as a prolific goalscorer for CPD Merched Tref Caernarfon Under-16’s before joining Llangefni Town of the North Wales Women’s League in January 2023.

This year has seen her net 35 goals in just 26 appearances for Cefni, including 28 this season, making her current top-scorer in North Wales women’s senior football.

Jess has scored in every one of the 12 matches she has played for Town so far this term.

That’s not all. In the summer, the then 17-year-old was a star performer for Ynys Môn at the Island Games in Guernsey, helping the team finish a magnificent fifth in the tournament.

4 Shannon Hobbs (Connah’s Quay Nomads)

Connah’s Quay women are on the up and up and Shannon Hobbs is a major reason behind that.

Last season, the 24-year-old striker netted 17 times for a Nomads outfit which retained the NEWFA Challenge Cup and finished runners-up in the Genero Adran North.

This term, the departure of key players like Kirstie Kural and Sienna Strapp has led to more responsibility being placed on experienced performers like Shannon and how she has thrived, netting 10 times in eight games so far as the Quay have claimed leadership of the Adran North with a 100 percent record.

In 2023, Shannon has chalked up 20 goals in 20 games.

5 Sofie Owen (Llandudno)

What a couple of years it has been for Llandudno’s long-serving captain!

In 2021-22 came the highlight of her career as she lifted the first Tier 2 Genero Adran North title and North Wales Coast Challenge Cup double, then last season she was named in the league Team of the Season.

For many years, Sofie was an attacking player, but in more recent times she has played at the back and showing typical versatility has settled into her new role impressively.

No-one plays with more passion for her club. For many years she was a consistent performer for Llandudno in the Welsh Premier Women’s League (now the Adran Premier).

She went through tough times, endless long trips to South Wales and a few heavy defeats (there were some great wins too, especially at home). but when that league title was won in 2022, all that pain and effort must have been worth it.

In 2023, Sofie featured in 24 games for her club, scoring twice, proving she can still sometimes find the net when the chance arises.

Past seasons have seen Sofie score some of Llandudno’s greatest-ever goals.

That Genero Adran North Team of the Season selection this year proved just how important she still remains to the club she loves with all her huge heart.

6 Phoebe Ellis (Connah’s Quay Nomads)

Just 16 and the world at her talented feet.

Every now and again something special comes along in North Wales football that makes everyone who follows it sit up and take notice.

Phoebe Ellis is one of those phenomenons.

She began 2023 playing for Connah’s Quay Under-19’s before making her first team debut in February as a substitute in a 3-2 Genero Adran North win at Llanfair United.

At the end of the season, Phoebe scored in a 3-0 win over Airbus as Nomads retained the NEWFA Challenge Cup.

This term she has been part of the first team planning from the word go, and what an impact she has made!

Already 15 goals in 12 appearances – and yes, we are talking a 16-year-old here. She also still stars for the under-19’s on occasion too.

What an amazing prospect, and she hails from a great football background, with elder brother Kie Ellis a prolific marksman for Kinmel Bay and currently CPD Y Rhyl 1879.

7 Sade Benjamin (CPD Y Rhyl 1879)

Named after the famous singer, Sade is a smooth operator, a skilled operator and most certainly a scoring machine!

The 28-year-old began the year with NFA, where she was – and always will be – the first player from that team to reach 50 goals in competitive games.

She helped NFA win promotion to the Genero Adran North at the end of 2022-23, scoring 14 times in 12 games from the start of 2023 through to May.

In summer 2023, Sade joined Rhyl 1879, where she has been as consistent as ever in front of goal, pocketing the winner on debut at Bangor.

Sade has notched 15 goals in 13 matches for Rhyl so far in 2023 and will surely put away many more in the new year.

8 Shannon Jade Jones (CPDM Y Felinheli)

Such an underrated player, but certainly not by this website.

This busy midfielder has played for Felinheli since 2019-20, having previously represented the club when it was known as CPDM Bethel.

She is also a past league title winner with Bethesda Athletic and has featured for Bangor City.

In 2023, the 22-year-old played in 19 matches for Felin, scoring three times.

Undoubtedly the highlight was her lifting the North Wales Coast Challenge Cup with the Cae Seilo side in April, beating holders Llandudno 3-2 in the final.

Felinheli have made a good, steady start to 2023-24 in the Genero Adran North and Shannon has been a big part of that.

Another major achievement for Shannon in 2023 was her success with the Bangor University women’s team.

She scored 16 goals, including a magnificent hat-trick against Sheffield Hallam, as Bangor were crowned undefeated BUCS 4A Northern champions.

And Shannon also netted twice as Bangor beat Aberystwyth 3-0 in the Varsity fixture.

So good was her shooting during the season, she became affectionately known as Shannon the Cannon.

9 Zoe Stopford (Flint Town United)

Magnificent, versatile performer who has really made 2023 her own.

Zoe started off the year with NFA, where her skills as a goalscoring midfielder helped the Rhyl side win promotion.

She netted 18 league goals in 19 games for NFA over the season, including 12 in 2023, as they finished fourth in the North Wales League table.

Zoe joined the exciting young Flint Town United squad in summer 2023 and has been a sensation, scoring 13 goals in 7 games, including two hat-tricks.

That makes it 25 goals during 2023 in total over just 18 games.

Flint are flying at the top of the North Wales League East and their Betty Pickering Cup group table – and Zoe has to take plenty of credit for that.

Ain’t no Stop-pping her now – she’s on the move. 🎵🎶🎶🎵

10 Rosie Hughes (Flint Town United)

What an end to 2023 for rapid Rosie!

Two stunning goals against Berriew in a 3-1 win ensured the Silkwomen finished the year on a real high.

After what was at times a testing first season in North Wales football, Flint are now totally on the right path in 2023-24.

From the start, Rosie has been talked about by so many people in the game.

Her pace, skills and brain as a central midfielder sets her apart from the rest on a regular basis.

She is the club’s top scorer with 22 goals, netted in 28 matches since the team started competing.

In 2023, Rosie bagged 20 goals in only 19 matches.

All this talent and still just 18.

And here are the stars from numbers 11 to 50

11 Laura Pratt (Airbus)

Hard-working, lively young forward who has put in some great performances for the Wingmakers, scoring a really impressive goal against Rhyl.

12 Katie Spruce (NFA)

A really solid goalkeeper who has produced a series of fine displays for new club NFA this season, following on from some good games for Denbigh Town in 2022-23.
Brilliant in one-on-one situations against strikers, as she proved in NFA’s 1-1 draw at Rhyl.

13 Heledd Savage (Llanystumdwy)

16-year-old defender developing really well at Parc Dwyfor.
Hard to find a player of her age with the skill and composure she has. Not afraid to get stuck into any battles, she is physical and loves a free kick.

14 Sarah Flower (Trearddur Bay)

Daughter of former Bangor City defender Steve Flower, Sarah can play in most positions for the team. Battles and runs all day long and can score goals too.
Missed the first two months of this season because she was getting married, then away on honeymoon and the team missed her work ethic and versatility.

15 Ceri Purvis (Denbigh Town)

Veteran forward who has contributed an outstanding 14 goals for Denbigh this season, including an ultra-fast hat-trick.
Still possesses plenty of the magic from her younger days playing for the likes of Pilkingtons and Rhyl.

16 Lisa Jones (Caernarfon Town)

While Caernarfon have struggled as a team at times, young Lisa has been outstanding in attack.
She notched 14 goals in 18 matches in 2022-23 and this term has grabbed four in five in North Wales League West.

17 Louisha Doran (Wrexham)

Missed most of the first half of 2023 while a Llandudno player due to injury, but made a comeback with Adran Premier newcomers Wrexham this season and has been amazing.
Rock solid in defence for the Red Dragons and proving she belongs at this level. Highly regarded player.

18 Jen Cox (Llangefni Town)

Star of 2022-23 season for Llangefni, finishing North Wales League top-scorer with 28 goals and pouched 30 in all competitions.
Could be on 50 club goals now from 43 appearances, depending on whether a 3-1 NWCFA Challenge Cup result against Caernarfon Town in October stands. Otherwise, it is 49.
Has nabbed 26 (or 27) goals in 2023 and was outstanding up front for Ynys Môn in the Guernsey Island Games.

19 Tyler Price (Northop Hall)

Has been a significant player for Northop Hall since signing from Holywell a year ago.
Tyler has given the Hall something new on the wing, from her speed to her work rate, as well as scoring goals.

20 Sara Lacey (Llanystumdwy)

Reached 50 consecutive appearances in goal for Llanystumdwy this season.
Always on form, saves the team repeatedly if they make an error.
This well-travelled keeper does not just stand out on the pitch, she’s one of the girls you can rely on if you ask for anything.

21 Carra Jones (Wrexham)

Midfielder who signed for Wrexham on the eve of the 2023/24 season after impressing on trial through the summer.
She has already contributed several vital goals in the team’s flying start to life in the Adran Premier, as well as cup competitions.
Formerly with Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool Feds and Stoke City.

22 Chloe Scanlan (Kinmel Bay)

Young, fast and talented midfielder and good with her feet.
Chloe has settled in really well in Kinmel Bay’s first season back in league football.

23 Laura Williams (CPD Y Rhyl 1879)

When Laura plays, Rhyl are a better team – simple as.
One of the deadliest left boots you will see anywhere, Laura netted seven goals in 12 games over the year and has been especially impressive in attack during the current season.

24 Jenna Ruth (CPDM Y Felinheli)

Began the year as part of the CPDM Bangor side which won the North Wales Women’s League as champions, scoring a tremendous 12 goals as a converted attacking player.
Rejoined CPDM Y Felinheli in the summer and has continued to find the net, scoring five times so far in 2023-24.

25 Jess Mills (NFA)

Attacking left-back/left-midfielder whose goals return this season has been outstanding. She is currently NFA’s top scorer on nine.
Also stood out in the first half of 2023, helping NFA clinch promotion to the Genero Adran North.

26 Sienna Strapp (Stoke City)

Although now playing in the English pyramid, Sienna merits a mention in this list for her superb form with Connah’s Quay Nomads in the first half of this year.
This colossal defender played a key role in the Quay finishing runners-up in the Genero Adran North and winning the NEWFA Challenge Cup. Should be considered for Wales.

27 Lea Ephraim (Llanystumdwy)

This 18-year-old fast developer joined Llanystumdwy late last season, but was not really sure of her best position.
Lea found herself at left back and has flourished. To see her on the pitch she is calm, composed and not afraid of anything. One would have thought she had operated at left-back for years.

28 Mia Roberts (CPDM Bangor)

Netted 14 goals last season as Bangor were crowned North Wales League champions without losing a game.
Started the current campaign at Amlwch Town, but returned to Bangor to test her skills in the Tier 2 Genero Adran North.
Mia was also in the Ynys Môn Island Games squad which performed so well in Guernsey during the summer. A bright 18-year-old with so much to look forward to.

29 Tegan Crockett (Flint Town United)

After beginning 2023 with Tier 2 club CPD Y Rhyl 1879, Tegan joined Flint in the summer and has been nothing short of sensational.
Whether playing as an impact sub or from the start, Tegan has guaranteed one thing – goals.
She scored in each of her first seven matches in a Flint shirt – a total of 12 goals.

30 Lois Thomas (Pwllheli)

Prolific markswoman who has amassed 26 goals in 23 appearances during 2023.
She was fifth top-scorer in North Wales last season with 26 goals and this term has netted eight times.
Pacy and a great finisher, while Pwllheli have suffered more than most with fixture shortages, Thomas has remained an ever-consistent net-finder.

31 Hannah Williams (Northop Hall)

Hannah has been a crucial player for Northop Hall this year.
Hall’s midfield maestro, she is the engine of the team, from her getting stuck in with tackles to being a key cog in their attacking play. Opponents constantly struggle to match her all-round output.

32 Kylie Jones (Connah’s Quay Nomads)

Made captain of Nomads this season and it’s easy to see why.
An inspirational midfielder, she puts in strong tackles, passes well and can score goals.
A crucial member of a Nomads squad which has bloomed this year, finishing Genero Adran North runners-up in 2022-23, retaining the NEWFA Challenge Cup and currently leading the second-tier league with a 100% record.

33 Sarah Williams (Kinmel Bay)

Has produced some fine performances for Kinmel Bay since they rejoined the North Wales League.
Sarah is a strong defender, good at getting the tackles in and winning the ball with headers.

34 Ruby Ellis (Airbus)

Great partner in attack with fellow 16-year-old Laura Pratt.
Both have caused opposition defences problems all season and have settled into the league as if they have played there for years.
Ruby is quick, fast-footed and always looking to attack.

35 Mari Gibbard (Wrexham)

Was with Llandudno at the start of the year, but in February signed up for Wrexham where she has become an important attacking-midfield presence, always linking well with the strikers.
One of North Wales’ classiest players, Gibbard has made 18 appearances for Wrexham so far, scoring twice and providing six assists.
Helped the Red Dragons win the Adran North title and Adran Premier play-off final last season.
Has had no problem adjusting to the demands of the top-flight, where she had played before with Llandudno.

36 Nia Ginnelly (Llangefni Town)

While others take the goal headlines, captain Nia is the midfield dynamo who holds so much together for the North Wales League West title challengers.
As well as being a Cefni ever-present, having made 56 appearances, Nia was a star for the Ynys Môn squad which excelled at the 2023 Island Games in Guernsey.

37 Catrin Ellen Jones (Trearddur Bay)

Ms Consistency. Catrin has been playing since the start for Trearddur Bay at left back.
She never gets POTM but always puts a great performance in – 7/10 or 8/10 every week. A great tackler.
Catrin was out for the second half of last season with an ankle injury and the team really missed her with her being left-footed as well. This season she is back and is as good as ever.

38 Becca Elliott (CPD Bangor)

Goalkeeper and team captain supreme.
Undoubtedly one of North Wales’ finest keepers, Becca kept 13 clean sheets last season as Bangor lifted the North Wales League title undefeated in 18 matches.
This season she has also stood out as Bangor have stepped up to Tier 2.

39 Ruby McGilloway (Flint Town United)

Tremendously committed, hard-working player who started 2023 at NFA, scoring seven goals in 14 appearances during the season to help the team win promotion to Tier 2.
Joined Flint Town United in the summer, where she is now an inspirational captain, netting five goals in eight games as the Silkwomen have stormed to the North Wales League East summit.

40 Magi Hughes (Pwllheli)

Captain and the most dependable of players, midfield ace Magi has notched 27 appearances (19 wins) in 2023, scoring 11 goals.
Bagged a hat-trick in a 5-2 win at Caernarfon and a double in Pwllheli’s 4-1 Welsh Cup victory over Kinmel Bay in September

41 Kirstie Kural (unattached)

Had an magnificent 2022-23 for Connah’s Quay, scoring a remarkable 33 goals as well as lifting the NEWFA Challenge Cup and claiming runners-up in Genero Adran North.
In March, she was the outstanding player on the field in a 2-1 defeat against league champions Wrexham at the Racecourse, watched by a record domestic Welsh league crowd of 9,511.
Left Nomads end of 2022-23, spent a very short time at TNS and is currently unsigned, instead concentrating on playing high level futsal.

42 Maddie Williams (Llandudno)

Not just a goalscorer – also very much a team player.
Has scored 14 goals in 24 matches during 2023, as well as providing 14 assists. Also reached the 50-goal mark for Llandudno this season.
Formed a good partnership with Stevie Donougher in attack this term.

43 Leonie O’Hara (Llanystumdwy)

Super young right-back who has been a vital member of the Llanystumdwy defence this year.
Her team knows she will throw herself into any tackle. Leonie’s confidence has grown considerably since joining the team. The person who once was very quiet is no more.

44 Elana Harley (Connah’s Quay Nomads)

Another fine year of progression for this 18-year-old attacking marvel.
In 2023, Elana scored 17 goals in 24 first-team matches for Nomads, plus found the net 10 times in nine under-19 games.
Helped the Quay retain the NEWFA Challenge Cup and make their mark in Genero Adran North.

45 Rachael Thomas (CPD Y Rhyl 1879)

As always, a central player in all of Rhyl 1879’s best performances of 2023.
It has been a testing time for the Lilywhites since they stepped up to Tier 2, but they have shown several good signs of settling and Rachael has been pivotal in this.

46 Tash Matthews (Llanystumdwy)

The governess of the Llanystumdwy defence has done a great job in coordinating a series of improved performances at the back from the villagers.
Captain Natasha made 24 appearances for the side during 2023. There were some heavy defeats early on, but steadily things have improved. The skipper’s great organising skills and quality defending have really helped.

47 Jasmin Dutton (Llandudno)

Such a star of the 2021-22 Genero Adran North title-winning season, former full Wales international Jasmin has continued to perform well for Llandudno in between injury lay-offs.
Adaptable operator who can be equally effective in defence or midfield, having scored seven times in 2023.

48 Ruby Stevens (Airbus)

Young goalkeeper aged just 17 and in her second season at Tier 2 level. She has excelled all season, coming up with some important saves to keep her team in games.

49 Becca Bannister (CPD Y Rhyl 1879)

Alongside Rachael Thomas, ‘Boo’ is part of one of the best midfield partnerships in North Wales football.
That dynamic right-foot, dangerous from almost any range, has continued to test keepers, make special passes and score some goals.

50 Shelby Wild (Kinmel Bay)

Has performed really well in Kinmel Bay’s first season back in the North Wales League.
Great shot-stopper and very brave, a real trier and a good player to have in the dressing room.